Wilson, 39, longstanding lieutenant to Stuart Rose, the M&S chief executive, was last week in advanced talks with Baugur, the privately owned Icelandic retailer that owns Booker. Wilson is said to be poised to quit M&S to become Booker’s chief executive, although he has yet to make a final decision.

“Any publicity about his talks with Booker might kill it,” said one executive involved in the negotiations. “However, he has to make his mind up. They’ve been talking for weeks now.”

Friends of Wilson made clear that even if he does not accept Booker’s offer he is likely to be out of M&S by autumn. “Charlie wants to move into the private world. This is not a screw- you thing to Rose,” said one.